Tire flap



Filed Dec'. 14, 1926 Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

iilffffif e i STATES f Env/'Anna niaxrna, or Gosimnivnwfvonir.

VTIREFLAR i Application filed December,1j4,.1926. Serial No., 154,671).

. This-invention relates to improvements in tire flaps, and mor'efparticularly to adjustable flaps which are suitable for yuse in different commercial `sized tires. According to the presentinvention the flap is not only adjustable for use withjdifferent commercial sizes of tires, but it is also self adjustable `for various inflating conditions and such adj ustmcnt takes place withoutchafing thef tube ork ojtheiwisejdamaging it. The

' line 3e3 of Fig. 2.

1n more detail, the flap is made of a strip of suitable fabric. with a hole 11 to re ceive the valve of the inner tube. is disposed substantially at a mid point intermediate the ends of the flap. One end 12 is slotted as shown at 13 and the length of the slot is sufficient-to afford adjustment of the circumferential dimension of the flap for varying commercial sizes of tires. The other overlapping cooperating end 14 of the flap carries a sliding connecting member or device generally designated 15.

The intermediate connection comprises a member 16 preferably slightly curved on one surface as at 17 and having suitably connected therewith a roller member 13. Connect-ion of the parts may be made in various ways, but'preferably 16 is provided with a stud or shank 19a which extends into an opening in part 18 and is secured therein by a press fit. Any other means may be employed for securing the parts together or they can be made unitary if the dimension of the flange 19 be diminished somewhat to permit it being forced through the fabric of the strip. The two-part construction is, however, preferable. Preferably the flange portion 19 is slightly sunk into the surface of the fabric, as shown Vin Fig. 3. The member 18 is preferably provided with collars orilanged portions 2O and 21, respectively. The shank portion 22 extends This hole l through the lslot 13with a free sliding i.

and the flange portion'20 extends under the flap` material of theend 12 (F ig.' .3)V adjacent the slot I13 and the.y flanged portionQ-l` extends over the material ofend 12 (see alsoy Fig. 3). Suitable clearances are provided sorv that the'ends y12and 14are freelyv adjust# able one to-the other. I

As shown, in Figfv, the flanged portion 2O also koverlies the material of the4 yend 14 and the material ris preferably firmly clamped between the flanged portion 20 and flange 19. While the flanged portion 2O is not absolutely essential. it is preferable to employ it `as it not only reduces the friction in the adjusting connection, but also aids in keeping the part 16 tightly clamped against the fabric of end 14. The terms over and under are here referred to in connection with Fig. 3. Over means beyond the upper edge of the flap material of end 12 inv referring to the flanged portion 21 in Fig. 3.

It will be understood that the flap can be sold either in assembeld condition with the connection engaged in the slot 13, or the user may himself assemble the part 15 in the opposite end 12 of the flap. The flexibility of the strip 10 will permit such assembly and engagement of the flanged portions and 21 under and over the material of end 12 adjacent slot 13.

lVhen in use the overlapped end 14 will prevent blowing out of the inner tube 23 through the slot. It is of sucient length to always cover the slot irespective of the positoin of the slip connection. The part.

r18 is in Contact with the rim as indicated at 24, and may be rounded as shown .to facilitate sliding action.

The above flap will be adaptable for different commerclal sizes of tires, and furthermore the construction affords free relative adjustability of the ends during inflation. The adjustment takes place at a point remote from the valve stem and accordingly the valve stem does not become displaced or rocked during inflation of the tube or when in use. The tension acting upon the valve stem is at all time equal and opposite. Any strain tending to cause variations in the circumferential size of the flap will automatically bring about a relative adjustment of the remote ends 12 and 14 of the flap, and such displacement is not iineded by embracing straps and the like as eretofore.

What I claim is: 1. An adjustabletire flap perforated substantially inntermediate the end to receive a valve stem and having one end slotted and the other end provided with a. device adapted to pass through the slot, said device provided with flanged portions to extend over and under the material of the last inentioned end ofthe Hap adjacent the slot there- 2. An adjustable tire flap perforated to receive a valve stem and provided with relatively adjustable cooperating ends, one end being slotted and the other end including Va connecting device remote fro-inthe valve i stem and carried by said end and projecting through said slot in the last mentioned end and having portions engaging over the material of the said end at the sidesof said slot for the `purpose, described.

3. An adjustable tire Bap receive -a valve stem at a polnt substantielly intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said aphaving an extended slot to afford adjnstability of the circumferential dimension of the complete flap to permit the flap to be used with various commercial sizes of tires, the other end of j said flap having fxedly connected thereto e member embracing both sides of said end and having a `pm- Perforated to tion thereof adapted to extend through the slot inthe other end and to overlap the mate rial of said other slotted end,l thereby affordng a freelyr slidable adjustable connection. A j' In testimony whereof I hereto aix my EDWARD R. DEXTER.

` signature. 

